'''Gelion''' was a river of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[First Age]], the principal river of East [[Beleriand]].

'''Gelion''' was a river of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[First Age]], the principal river of East [[Beleriand]].

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Its two sources were the [[Hill of Himring]], via the '''Little Gelion''', and the [[Ered Luin]], via the '''Greater Gelion'''. It then passed south, dividing [[Estolad]] to the west from [[Thargelion]] to the east, then was crossed by the old dwarf-road at '''Sarn Athrad''' ("Ford of Stones"). It then passed into [[Ossiriand]], the Land of Seven Rivers, where it was fed by rivers [[Ascar]], [[Thalos]], [[Legolin]], [[Brilthor]], [[Duilwen]], and [[Adurant]], all rising in the Ered Luin.

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Its two sources were at the [[Hill of Himring]], via the [[Little Gelion]], and [[Mount Rerir]], via the [[Greater Gelion]] (which also had a tributary connected to [[Lake Helevorn]]). It then flowed south for forty leagues,<ref name="Beleriand">{{S|Beleriand}}</ref> dividing [[Estolad]] to the west from [[Thargelion]] to the east. Gelion met [[Sarn Athrad]] ("Ford of Stones") just above the inflow of the River [[Ascar]]. Gelion then became the western border of [[Ossiriand]], the Land of Seven Rivers, from which it was fed by the rivers Ascar, [[Thalos]], [[Legolin]], [[Brilthor]], [[Duilwen]], and [[Adurant]], all rising in the [[Ered Luin]]. Gelion then turned southwest, passing by [[Taur-im-Duinath]] (the Forest between the Rivers) before emptying into the Great Sea [[Belegaer]].<ref>{{S|Map}}</ref>

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Gelion then passed by Tuar-im-Duinath (the Forest between the Rivers) and emptied into the Great Sea [[Belegaer]].

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The vale of Gelion sloped steadily southward and thus had neither falls nor rapids, yet was ever swifter than the River [[Sirion]]. Although Gelion was twice the length of Sirion it was less wide and full, for more rain fell in the west than in the east.

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== Reference ==

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Between the arms of Gelion lay the ward of [[Maglor]]. [[Caranthir]] made his abode at Lake Heleborn, and the land of Thargelion, which signified the Land beyond Gelion, was also called [[Dor Caranthir]], the Land of Caranthir.<ref name="Beleriand"/>

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* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', pp. 121-124

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Due to the open nature of the land about the upper reaches of the River Gelion the region was subjected to many battles. [[Haldad] of the [[Haladin]] built a stockade in the corner formed by the Gelion and the Ascar when an orc-raid fell upon his people in Thargelion.<ref>{{S|West}}</ref> During the [[Dagor Bragollach]] the dragon [[Glaurung]] came and destroyed all the land between the arms of Gelion.<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> Eventually the lands between the rivers [[Aros]] and Gelion became so dangerous that [[Dwarves]] traveling to and from the Ered Luin and [[Menegroth]] stopping going in small parties but went in great companies well armed.<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>

The vale of Gelion sloped steadily southward and thus had neither falls nor rapids, yet was ever swifter than the River Sirion. Although Gelion was twice the length of Sirion it was less wide and full, for more rain fell in the west than in the east.

Between the arms of Gelion lay the ward of Maglor. Caranthir made his abode at Lake Heleborn, and the land of Thargelion, which signified the Land beyond Gelion, was also called Dor Caranthir, the Land of Caranthir.[1]

Due to the open nature of the land about the upper reaches of the River Gelion the region was subjected to many battles. [[Haldad] of the Haladin built a stockade in the corner formed by the Gelion and the Ascar when an orc-raid fell upon his people in Thargelion.[3] During the Dagor Bragollach the dragon Glaurung came and destroyed all the land between the arms of Gelion.[4] Eventually the lands between the rivers Aros and Gelion became so dangerous that Dwarves traveling to and from the Ered Luin and Menegroth stopping going in small parties but went in great companies well armed.[5]